Though some varieties look similar, Asian noodles and Italian pasta have some important differences. Most pasta is designed to be cooked to the same aldente texture, but Asian noodles are different. Some are soft; others have a firm bite. Some are chewy; others like ramen, have a more springy resistance to the teeth.

Asian noodles can be made with rice, yamand mung bean in addition to wheat flourand even that wheat is a different variety than the durum wheat used in pasta. All of these differences in texture and flavor mean you usually can't substitute an Italian pasta for an Asian noodle.